Region
Northeast Indiana
Explore our region and discover the Amish culture and hidden treasures of Shipshewana & LaGrange County! You can learn from the past by visiting our museums or gain first hand experience and learn about another way of life on a working Amish farm. Forget about to-do lists and reconnect with those that matter over homemade meals or live theatre productions. Sit back and relax while listening to music and enjoying homegrown food. Take a walk on the adventurous side and kayak down one of our many rivers or view the countryside while biking or hiking through miles of trails.
Shop for that something special or take home a quality piece of Amade furniture or handcrafted items. Make the choice to slow life down for a little while and live in the moment. Explore our region, visit Shipshewana & LaGrange County and the only thing on your to-do list will be to enjoy yourself and those around you.
Amish Backroads
Known for the generous hospitality of our neighbors, our Amish countryside combines rural charm with progressive enterprise and is where you can find handcrafted wooden furniture and toys, delicious home-cooked meals, and even a wildlife farm featuring domestic animals. Combine that with the rich culture and history of the Amish and the experience is truly unique! Enjoy exhibits, barn quilts and displays throughout the area chronicling the stories of our past and our journey as a county. Visit working Amish farms and experience the joys of the simple life. As modern life become increasingly busy and hectic, the simplicity of our Amish Backroads life can be soothing and rejuvenating for the soul!
Downtown Shipshewana
The town of Shipshewana welcomes one and a half million visitors a year to our historic small-town streets. It’s no wonder why – we’re home to the Midwest’s largest flea market, exciting auctions and over a hundred unique shops. From homemade goods to quality woodworking, you can take home a sample of Amish craftsmanship. Our boutique shops offer an eclectic variety of jewelry, home goods, garden accessories and décor. Or, travel back in time and discover a treasure you’ll love from one of our many antique shops. From locally-made to popular everyday products, you can be sure to find just what you’re looking for.
Nature & Preservation
No matter where you go or what you are looking to do in LaGrange County, scenic beauty and adventure are waiting for you around every corner if you’re ready to explore! LaGrange County is home to several beautiful County Parks and Nature Preserves and over 70 lakes – along with a myriad of outdoor activities to enjoy such as the Pumpkinvine Trail, with 25 miles of biking and hiking trails through Amish Country. You can kayak and canoe down one of our many rivers and waterways, or tee off at one of several area golf courses. In colder weather, try your legs out with snowshoeing, cross country skiing or sledding. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or simply relaxing under a tree in one of the beautiful parks or nature preserves, getting lost for a day (or two) has never been easier or more rewarding than in Shipshewana & LaGrange County.
Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail
Begin the 90-mile Heritage Trail in Shipshewana at two Quilt Gardens before traveling rural highways, down quiet country lanes, through friendly cities and small-town Main Streets. Along the way, enjoy a colorful and creative patchwork of super sized gardens planted in the shape of quilt patterns May 31-Sept 15. Designs include classic and contemporary quilt patterns, many inspired by a person or place unique to the community that hosts them. The Quilt Gardens along Heritage Trail are viewable free of charge during all daylight hours
South Bend & Notre Dame
Just an hour from Shipshewana, South Bend, Indiana is best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame and its legendary Fighting Irish football traditions. Visitors travel year-round for Notre Dame football games, collegiate sporting events, tournaments, and major competitions held throughout the South Bend area. Beyond the stadium, you’ll find vibrant downtown districts, riverfront views along the St. Joseph River, museums, dining, and entertainment that make it a popular Midwest sports destination.
If you’re visiting South Bend for a game, tournament, or campus event, extend your trip with a relaxing getaway to Shipshewana Amish Country. Trade stadium crowds for scenic countryside, handcrafted Amish goods, home décor shopping, antique markets, the famous Shipshewana Flea Market, live entertainment at the Blue Gate Theatre, and authentic Midwestern dining. It’s the perfect complement to a Notre Dame weekend — combining the excitement of game day with the charm, shopping, and hospitality that make Shipshewana a favorite Indiana getaway.
Indiana Dunes
Just a scenic drive from Shipshewana, Indiana Dunes National Park sits along 15 miles of Lake Michigan shorelinewith towering sand dunes, sandy beaches, scenic hiking trails, and diverse ecosystems that make it one of the Midwest’s most unique national park experiences. From swimming and sunbathing on pristine beaches and birdwatching along wetlands to hiking across shifting dunes, woodlands, and prairies, Indiana Dunes National Park draws nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, and family travelers looking to explore the great outdoors.
Whether you’re planning a summer retreat, weekend adventure, or nature photography excursion, the Dunes deliver a mix of recreation, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery. Plus, its proximity to northern Indiana makes it an ideal addition to your regional itinerary. After exploring the dunes and Lake Michigan’s scenic shores, extend your trip to Shipshewana Amish Country for a different kind of adventure — enjoy unique Amish-made goods, treasure-hunting at the famous flea market, handcrafted furniture, boutique shopping, hearty farm-to-table meals, and family-friendly attractions that showcase local culture and craftsmanship. Together, Indiana Dunes National Park and Shipshewana offer a perfect northern Indiana getaway combining nature, shopping, heritage, and memorable experiences.